Chapter 298 Severe punishment!
At first, the soldiers were worried that their bodies wouldn't be able to handle it, but the old lady patted her chest and said, "What's the big deal? I can still work in the fields, ride in a carriage, and travel. I'm not that useless. I absolutely can't delay your important business."
This time, Weidong selected elderly people who were in good health, taking into consideration the long journey.
They rushed to the capital as quickly as possible. Before entering the city, the old ladies and old men disguised themselves.
They hadn't eaten since the previous night, and they were dressed in ragged clothes, looking helpless, thin, and pitiful.
Everyone's eyes were dull and some were crying.
There was an old lady who cried so hard that tears came out of her left eye but not her right eye. It was a unique performance.
A group of people entered the city in a miserable state, and outsiders who saw them shed tears of sympathy.
"Please, Your Majesty, make the decision for us."
A group of people entered the city shouting that they were wronged, headed straight for the imperial city, and beat the Wendeng drum.
The Wendeng Drum has never been sounded since the founding of the Da Gan Kingdom, because after the Wendeng Drum is sounded, the person who beats the drum will have to endure a hundred battles.
I don't know who established this rule. He believed that if the injustice was great, one would definitely be able to endure the pain of a hundred beatings. If one couldn't endure it, it meant the injustice was not great, so one should not disturb His Majesty.
The emperor has no time to deal with those trivial matters.
Therefore, this Wendeng drum has always been useless.
Now, when the drum sounded, the whole capital was shocked.
The common people all came to watch the fun, and the guards in charge of the caning looked at each other in bewilderment.
Because the person beating the drum was not one person, but a group of people, all of whom were elderly men and women.
How are they going to fight this?
An old man even said, "I'm not afraid of being beaten. Even if my life is taken away, as long as it can be replaced by the people of Huai'an City, my life will be worth it."
The others all rushed forward, each wanting to hit them first.
The guards originally wanted to force them to leave, but... the convoy escorting them was holding the flag of the Lu family army.
This is the team sent by Lu Chenyang, who dares?
Someone soon went to report to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Now that Emperor Qianyuan was almost in semi-retirement, all important state affairs were handled by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
When the prince heard about this, his face changed. Lu Chenyang sent people directly to the capital without informing him. This was not only a slap in the face of Emperor Qianyuan, but also a slap in the face of him as the prince.
Even if he had been informed in advance, he wouldn't have been so passive.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince gritted his teeth and went out to see for himself.
When the prince arrived, a group of people who came to complain were talking about the tragic situation in Huai'an City.
"The Tartars entered the city under cover of darkness. We didn't even have time to react before they broke into our homes and killed us," an old woman said, wiping away tears. "Thanks to my family being in the city, we heard the noise and were on guard. My son was filial and hid me in the stove, so I escaped. But my son, pitiful, was beaten to death by the Tartars in an attempt to buy me time. He died with his eyes open. I, as a useless mother, didn't even bother to collect his body. I watched helplessly as the Tartars mutilated it for their amusement."
Another old man also said: "My little grandson was only one year old. He just called me grandpa the day before, and then he was thrown to death by the Tartars." As he spoke, tears streamed down his face.
The sincerity of their words and the pain on their faces made people feel heartbroken.
The prince frowned, feeling that he shouldn't get involved in the chaos and wanted to send someone to inform Emperor Qianyuan. However, the people spotted him and immediately rushed to surround him.
"Your Highness, please make the decision for us!" the people cried.
A group of old ladies and old men surrounded His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, not afraid of his identity at all.
Before coming here, Lord Wei had already said, what's there to be afraid of? Although they have to face the Crown Prince, they have Lord Lu's support behind them! Now, even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Emperor Qianyuan have to be polite in front of Lord Lu, but Lord Lu treats them with a pleasant and amiable face.
Converted to that, it was equivalent to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Emperor giving them two points of courtesy. This logic was perfect, and the elders all believed it.
Lord Lu was so kind, he would chat with them and care about their well-being. They came here on behalf of Lord Lu, and even when facing the royal family, they were not afraid! They couldn't let Lord Lu down!
Thinking of this, they said the most important words: "I beg His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to severely punish the murderer, severely punish the Fourth Prince, and give justice to the people of Huai'an City who died unjustly!"
The Fourth Prince must be severely punished!
His Royal Highness took a deep breath. He was now in a difficult situation. Seeing the crowds of onlookers growing, if he didn't express his opinion, it would be his fault.
The Crown Prince said, "Rest assured, everyone. I will give you an explanation on this matter." He said in a deep voice, "Come here, take the Fourth Prince to the prison..."
The prince turned around and saw the Fourth Prince in the prison cart, and was shocked.
His adopted younger brother had always been very particular about his appearance, usually dressed in a dashing manner. But now, his hair was disheveled, his face stained with dirt and blood, making him look horrible. Not to mention that he had been drugged and mentally drained, looking like a beggar.
The prince felt... inexplicably pleased.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
